Mental Health Act Doomed by ‘Ballot Box Budgeting’

The Mental Health Services Act passed by voters in 2004 has failed to improve the state's mental health care system in part because of its origin as an initiative, Rose King, a political and policy analyst, writes. She adds, "Policy-making by initiative often minimizes accountability for the integrity of the program."

• "Mental Health Act Doomed by Initiative Origin" (King, Sacramento Bee, 8/11).